OO9.

Chapter 9

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I STARED at the ceiling of my room, my thoughts swirling in frustration. Darious had callously tossed me onto the bed—yes, tossed me. The nerve of that bastard. My brows knitted together, and I clenched my jaw in anger.

"System, what will be the next predicament?" I demanded, my gaze still fixed on the ceiling.

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We cannot disclose that information at this time, dear player. Please wait for further announcements.

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I rolled my eyes in exasperation as I read the response. How unfortunate. So now I'm left with nothing to do but wait?

Restlessly, I shifted on the bed, feeling the fatigue set in. At least I had met Lady Cecelia and gained her trust. I don't hold any personal grudge against her, it's just that my body seems to react with jealousy whenever I see her. But that's not truly me—it's just the body's response, so I'm trying not to let it bother me.

"The dress is so itchy," I muttered, scratching my neck irritably. I hadn't changed yet because I couldn't manage it on my own. Should I call Sebastian? It's already night, so no one would see us, right?

Tsk. Why am I doing this? Well, as the saying goes, keep your enemies closer. Maybe I won't regret this decision later.

"System, can you locate the character Sebastian?" I asked, sitting up and glowering in frustration.

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We cannot disclose that information at this time, dear player.

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"Haaa..." I sighed deeply, running my fingers through my hair as I read the message. Ironic, why am I asking for help from this damned system? Tsk.

Should I call him? It sounds amusing, but every time I call him, he appears out of nowhere.

I exhaled heavily, feeling the weight of the situation. "Kyle..." I called his name softly, wondering if I should give it a try.

I waited, hoping someone would walk through the door, but as expected, no one arrived.

Sure, he was probably preoccupied with trying to make his first move on the female lead. I closed my eyes and sighed again. Being the unimportant one is undeniably tough.

I walked to the mini veranda of my room and slid open the glass door. The breeze was unusually cold today. I gazed out at the garden, it was as mesmerizing as ever. Arthemice's room truly had the best view of the manor, I had to admit.

I closed my eyes once more, resting my hands on the cemented rails of the veranda, and embraced the cool breeze that enveloped me.

"You called me, my lady?" The voice, smooth and unexpectedly close, startled me. I immediately opened my eyes and saw Sebastian standing just inches away. He had deftly balanced on the edge of the veranda's railing, his grin wide and confident as he looked at me.

"S-Sir Kyle!" I stumbled backward as he landed gracefully in front of me.

"The main door was closed, so I had to leap onto the veranda and jump down," he said nonchalantly, brushing dust off his clothes without meeting my gaze. "Is something wrong, my lady?" he added, finally locking eyes with me.

I couldn't help but be captivated by him. The moonlight framed his figure, casting a silvery glow that accentuated his striking deep blue hair. Against the backdrop of the deep blue sky, he appeared almost too handsome for an assassin. His presence was dazzling.

I quickly shook off my awe and adjusted my demeanor, meeting his gaze with a frosty look.

"Nothing happened," I said curtly. "I just need you to help me undress." I noticed his eyes widen slightly in surprise before he swiftly masked his reaction.

"The Grand Duke won't be pleased if he catches us together again, my lady," he murmured, bowing deeply in front of me.

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The character Sebastian found your behavior quite ridiculous.

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I glanced at the holographic display before me and noticed Sebastian flinch at the sight. What had startled him? Did he catch a glimpse of the hologram?

"Did you see something on the air?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. He shook his head, his expression neutral. "Nothing, my lady," he replied.

"Oh," I responded, a note of disappointment in my voice. I had hoped he had seen it.

Nevertheless, I appreciated the system's update. It gave me insight into how others might perceive me if I were to interact more directly with people in this world.

"Let's go inside," I muttered, leading the way. Sebastian followed silently, his footsteps echoing softly behind me.

"Just don't turn on the lamp," I said, glancing back at him. "The moonlight should be enough... it's not too dark."

"As you wish, my lady," he replied. As soon as I turned my back, he wasted no time. With practiced ease, he unlaced my dress, letting the fabric slide gracefully to the floor. Next, he carefully removed the petticoats, leaving me in my chemisette and bloomers, which were far from appropriate for his gaze. I noticed from my peripheral vision that Sebastian averted his eyes and turned his back to give me privacy.

"Don't look back," I murmured, my voice tinged with urgency. "I'm just changing into a chemise."

"You should bathe first, my lady," he said, his eyes steadfastly averted.

"Then, will you prepare the bath for me?" I inquired, noticing his slight stumble of surprise. Hmm…

"N-No, my lady. Do as you wish," he stammered, his voice betraying his unease. That's acceptable.

'Considering he has already seen Arthemice's well-toned figure, is it really such a stretch for him to see her naked?' I shook my head at that thought, chiding myself for being so careless.

Having finished changing into my chemise, I glanced down and realized I was still wearing my stockings.

"Sir Kyle, take this off," I said, showing him my stocking-clad foot. I watched as his face flushed when he saw my feet. Well, they're not exactly bare since I'm wearing stockings, right?

"Is that okay, my lady?" he asked, looking at me with an intense, questioning gaze. How can I describe it? It's like he's waiting for my explicit permission.

"Yes," I hesitated at first, but I didn't care anymore. I was too tired to endure this discomfort.

He suddenly walked towards me quickly. I was taken aback when he abruptly lifted me. His strong hands gripped my waist as he hoisted me up. Instinctively, I grabbed his arms to steady myself, fearing I might lose balance. As he carried me, his grip was firm yet possessive, his muscles tensing slightly under the strain. He held me as if I were a challenge to be conquered, his heart pounding in excitement. There was a glimmer of sadistic enjoyment in his eyes, a silent promise that he relished my discomfort.

"W-What are you doing?!" I stammered, my eyebrows knitting together in confusion. Is he out of his mind?!

He smirked at me, his eyes holding a mix of mischief and cruelty. What is it with those eyes?! His demeanor shifted dramatically, from the flustered servant to something more domineering and sadistic, a side of him I had never seen before.

"My lady, didn't you order that you wanted your stockings removed?" he said, placing me gently on the bed. He kneeled in front of me, carefully grasping my feet. Without warning, he began to peel off the stockings. As he did so, I felt the heat and roughness of his hands against my skin. When he finally finished, I noticed how his eyes sparkled as he gazed at my bare feet.

"Oh my lady," he murmured, caressing my left foot and bringing it to his face.

I was stunned by his actions. This was not the Sebastian I thought I knew from the game, for goodness' sake!

He inhaled deeply, his expression filled with pleasure as he closed his eyes. I was too shocked to react properly, my mind reeling from the unexpected intimacy of the moment. I needed to clear my thoughts and stop this absurdity.

"T-That's enough, Kyle," I ordered, looking at him with a furrowed brow. He gazed back at me intensely, a malicious smirk curling his lips.

Sebastian's eyes never left mine as he continued to caress my feet, his touch sending shivers down my spine. The room seemed to shrink around us, the air thick with a tension that was both exhilarating and terrifying. I could feel the dominance radiating from him, his every action a declaration of control.

"Your orders are my commands, my lady," he said, his voice a low, possessive growl. "But sometimes, I can't help but take a little liberty."

My heart pounded in my chest as I struggled to maintain my composure. This was a side of Sebastian I had never anticipated, and it was as intoxicating as it was alarming.

"I was keeping myself from doing this," he suddenly said, pulling my feet closer to him. I clenched my fists, trying to grasp the bed sheet to resist him, but I failed.

He was now between my legs, his hands gripping my thighs as he looked up at me with that infuriating smirk.

"However, you're so stubborn... Right, Lady Arthemice?" he continued, his hand moving to hold my chin.

"I—" I choked, clutching my mouth as a wave of nausea hit me. I think I vomited something.

I looked at my hands and saw blood. What's happening?

"You knew it was poisoned, right, my lady?" he said, his voice dripping with mockery. I looked at him, and there was blood on his face as he stood in front of me. He didn't wipe it off, instead, he licked it off his lips. I covered my mouth in horror as I watched him.

I could die right now. Is this part of his plan? Poisoning the Grand Duke's drink, and I interfered, which is why he's mad? I squinted as a sharp pain tore through my throat.

"Don't worry, my lady, I killed the knight who brought that poison inside the manor," he replied, crawling onto the bed with a predatory grace. His hand still held my legs with a firm yet almost tender grip, sending a shiver down my spine.

What? So he did not poison the Grand Duke?

"I-I," I couldn't finish my sentence when I suddenly vomited blood again in front of his face. Instead of being disgusted, his grin spread widely, as if he loved seeing me bathed in my own blood.

He laughed maniacally as my sight blurred. I drank the poison? Then why didn't it affect my body instantly?

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The poison is now spreading throughout your body. Current life is now decreasing.

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'Haaa.' I closed my eyes.

Sebastian's laughter echoed around the room, a haunting sound that chilled me to the bone. His eyes gleamed with sadistic delight as he watched me suffer. The pain was unbearable, but his enjoyment of it made it even worse.

"Does it hurt, Arthemice?" he whispered, his voice dripping with twisted pleasure. "I love seeing you like this, broken and in pain. It's exactly where you belong."

My vision continued to fade, the room becoming a hazy blur. The numbness was spreading fast, and I could feel my strength slipping away.

As the darkness threatened to overtake me, a single thought pierced through the haze: I will not let him win. With the last of my strength, I tried to focus, to find a way to fight back, even as my body betrayed me.

But Sebastian's face, twisted with a cruel smile, was the last thing I saw before the darkness swallowed me whole.

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third person

Arthemice's consciousness was now gone. Sebastian smiled from ear to ear as he looked at her blood-soaked body. His emerald eyes gleamed with a twisted delight, reflecting the dim light in the room. He exuded a dark, magnetic charm that was impossible to ignore.

"This is the most captivating sight I've ever seen," he laughed, holding his chin thoughtfully, his hands and cheeks smeared with blood. The amusement in his eyes as he gazed at the miserable sight never ceased to amaze him.

He paused for a minute, lost in thought, his grin never faltering.

"However... her body marked with burns, cuts, and stab wounds would be even more satisfying," he added, looking at her with a mix of disappointment and anticipation. "Seeing her die from poison is not quite as entertaining as I thought," he continued, gently caressing her face, his touch almost tender despite the cruelty behind it.

"I should see you suffer first before you die, Themie... should I?" he laughed again, a deep, resonant sound, and gripped her legs tightly.

"Well, then. See you tomorrow, Themie."

fin.